Surfing filmmakers David Brookwell and Sean McNamara get home break support for Soul Surfer

It was important that the movie Soul Surfer got the support of the surfing community, according to producer David Brookwell, who's been surfing for more than 30 years. The movie was shot on Oahu's popular North Shore surfing beaches, and is about the Hawaiian teen surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack, but went on to become a surfing champion. Director Sean McNamara is also a die-hard surfer and was dedicated to the accuracy of the film from Brookwell McNamara Entertainment.

"You can't just show up at the beach with a bunch of cameras and start shooting in Hawaii," Brookwell explained to me when we sat down after a screening of the remarkable film. "You've got to get the local surfers behind you, and you need their support because they don't really want you there." And Brookwell said that if the surfing scenes weren't done right, he'd hear about it when he'd paddle out to his home break. Luckily the movie is a triumph of the spirit of all who made it possible.

As credits roll, Brookwell said the footage at the end of the film was provided by the Hamilton family, showing the actual events in Bethany's life that were depicted in the movie. They mirror some of the most touching scenes, like getting up on the surfboard for the first time after the shark attack, and various competitions. The clips show the care and accuracy taken to tell the story. In addition to being very faithful and spiritual, McNamara believes Soul Surfer speaks to anyone who has ever faced tough odds while reaching for a dream. That gets home break support for sure.